We are into the second half of the year now but 2013’s onslaught of excellent material isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. In amongst the magnitude of festivals dominating the summer – we’ve been particularly busy at 2000 Trees and Punk Rock Holiday this month – singles, albums and EPs have been squeezing their way to the forefront.
Check out what the core staff at Punktastic have been listening to over the 31 days of July here, including new material by established and emerging bands alike.
Balance & Composure – ‘Reflection’
Balance & Composure whet our appetites for their new album with ‘Reflection’ – a song laced with an almost grunge like influence. It’s certainly done its job in building up the hype for the new album due out in September. [CM]
Crash of Rhinos – ‘Opener’
Following on from 2011’s incredible debut Distal, Crash Of Rhinos’ second record “Knots” is even more special. Taking the greatest elements of Distal and polishing the rough edges a little, this blend of emo, post-rock and DIY punk (think American Football meets Small Brown Bike meets The Appleseed Cast) should be seen in years to come as a modern emo classic. “Opener” was the preceding “single”, and gives an insight to just how much this album delivers. A “must-hear” record, for anyone who has, like, y’know, feelings and shit. [OC]
Hands Like Houses – ‘Introduced Species
Christ, this song is glorious. From the opening gang vocals of “We don’t belong here” onwards, this track is completely flawless. Taken from the Australians’ second album ‘Unimagine’, it’s one you need in your life. Hands Like Houses are here to stay. [LMW]
Gogol Bordello – ‘We Rise Again’
Gypsy-Punk’s biggest success story Gogol Bordello return with their explosive new album . The opening track ‘We Rise Again’ is a defiant anti-establishment battle cry that you can dance to. Radical stuff. [CC]
Against Me! – ‘FuckMyLife666’
The return of Against Me! has been brewing for a while, and for their first release since Tom Gabel became Laura Jane Grace, the band have return to their acoustic roots in the form of a song two EP, from which ‘FuckMyLife666’ is taken. It’s a touching, introspective song, and one that sets up a bright future for the band. [TA]
FIDLAR – ‘Awkward’
Not content with releasing one of the best – if not THE best – album of the year, FIDLAR returned with a comparably down-tempo grunge-punk masterpiece. Brimming with angst, this has been rightly dubbed the slacker’s anthem. There’s no chance of the band fucking up with standout tracks like this one. [BT]
Born Without Bones – ‘I Was In Love’
A band we’re really excited to see at Fest this year, the new album is a killer. I Was In Love has a Weezer-esque retro vibe to it and is sort of what you’d imagine a punk rock take on Grease to sound like, complete with a rockin’ guitar solo and obligatory oooo’s. [MH]
Pariso – ‘Tower Of Genus’
South London hardcore band Pariso, who include Holy Roar Records founder Alex Fitzpatrick among their number (but choose to release their records through Tangled Talk), released second full-length “Consanguinity” completely spontaneously – “no build-up, no pre-orders, no-hype” in their own words. It reveals a previously unbeknownst emotive side to the band, and the album highlight has to be “Tower Of Genus”. Featuring the vocal talents of Katie Malco, this track has shades of latter-day Bring Me The Horizon and should stun listeners, whether or not they held preconceptions of the quintet. [OC]
Home Advantage – ‘Markers From Home’
A standout track from their new EP ‘Cadet’, Home Advantage show that the UK can do pop-punk just as well as our American counterparts. An exciting time for a band with a bright future. [CC]
Against Me! – ‘True Trans Soul Rebel’
The new Against Me! EP was probably the most exciting thing to happen all month. The acoustic tracks are raw, emotional and have us all anticipating more eagerly the new album from the band. True Trans Soul Rebel is just a perfect acoustic track, I can’t get enough of it. [MH]
The Dangerous Summer – ‘Sins’
The Dangerous Summer return in August with their new album ‘Golden Record’ and they dropped ‘Sins’ in July. It’s a song which has the typical sound found with The Dangerous Summer but with a little bit extra showing just how much the band have raised their game. [CM]
Asking Alexandria – ‘Death Of Me’
The track may have been released back in March, but the mighty Asking Alexandria release their incredible new album ‘From Death To Destiny’ next month and this is just a snippet to keep us going. There’s a reason these Brits have conquered America, and it’s basically that they know how to write a massive banger. Take note, everyone else. [LMW]
Friends In America – ‘Quietly, Quietly’
Friends In America put together some rather special with ‘What It Is To Be’, and ‘Quietly, Quietly’ shows off their mastery of laid back indie soundscapes. Certainly worth listening to as part of the whole release, but sublime nonetheless. [TA]
Titus Andronicus – ‘I Don’t Care’
Just switching the title of Icona Pop’s number one UK single ‘I Love It’ to ‘I Don’t Care’ is an indication of the attitude Titus Andronicus have taken towards the track. Part cover and part reimagination, this track is as unpolished as releasable material can get and sounds perfect for it. At eight minutes long it may stretch your attention span, but it’s well worth the time. [BT]